Mauricio Pochettino reveals what he said to Daniel Levy on the phone last week

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he spoke to Daniel Levy last week and thanked the Tottenham chairman for trusting him when he was hired in 2014.

The former Spurs boss has given a wide-ranging interview to the Guardian, discussing the Champions League final, his sacking back in November and his future plans. The whole interview, which you can read here, is well worth your time.

But the section that stuck out most to us was Pochettino’s recent phone conversation with Levy, in which the Argentine joked about Tottenham almost hiring Louis van Gaal instead.

Van Gaal ended up at Manchester United and Spurs turned to Pochettino, who can see the funny side of an event that almost completely changed his career path.

“I also joked with him: ‘Oh, you signed me because the manager you liked at that time, [Louis] van Gaal, chose to go to Manchester United,’” Pochettino said, apparently with a ‘big smile’.

Without a direct quote, the interview write-up also reveals Pochettino thanked Levy for taking a risk on him and his coaching staff six years ago.

It’s hardly surprising to hear of Pochettino’s gratitude, which is completely in fitting with the character and sensitivity he consistently showed during his time in north London.